Davie - Is This Legal?: the inside story of the first UFC from the man who created it

This would make a great movie.

JOHN MILIUS, Academy Award Nominated Screenwriter & Director, Conan the Barbarian

Is This Legal? is an honest, shocking, enthralling and nostalgic look back at the creation of the modern age of mixed martial arts in the United States. This is all the real stuff that no one gets to see or hear about, when the newest combative sport of MMA was forged, and Art Davie was one of its founding fathers! Thanks goes out to Art for persevering, and giving all professional martial artists a place to ply our wares and test our skills.

RANDY COUTURE, UFC Hall of Famer & Former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion

The first Ultimate Fighting Championship reset the martial arts culture in the U.S., and created a brand-new American sport thats now become a global phenomenon. Art Davies vision of blending combat sports and entertainment inspired a PPV and martial arts generation, while creating new careers for combat sports athletes.

FRANK SHAMROCK, First-Ever UFC Middleweight Champion

Is This Legal? is a fantastic read for anyone, regardless of MMA knowledge. Compelling. Funny. Honest. Art and Sean depict both notable and behind the scenes information that most people never get the opportunity to experience or hear about. As someone whos been involved in the sport wholeheartedly since 1994, I really appreciated and enjoyed learning more about how this all came together from an insiders view.

ROB HINDS, MMA Referee, Judge & ABC Officials Trainer

This book shows even a hardcore fan just how little they know about the origins of the UFC. Its amazing to think that the sport I love was created by a cast of characters straight out of Alice In Wonderland. This book is a truly illuminating read.

JIMMY SMITH, Television Color Commentator, Bellator MMA

I thought, This is crazy! when Art Davie first told me he was going to pit fighters from different fighting styles against one another. This was the birth of the UFC. Having been in the ring as a kickboxer, the idea of no rules was exhilarating to me. This book will entertain fans and newcomers, while at the same time reveal Art Davies tenacity in attaining his dream, and making it a reality. Im honored to call Art a lifelong friend. Is This Legal? tells the whole story.

EARNEST HART, Jr., Former PKA Kickboxing World Champion

I know a thing or two about the sport of MMA, having managed some of the best fighters in the business. Art Davie single-handedly changed the worlds understanding of martial arts. Because of him, the age old question about who would win in a real fight has finally been answered. Art was a true genius and a pioneer. Its been an honor to call him my friend.

DARIN HARVEY, President, Fight Tribe Management

Its about time we MMA addicts were told the rest of the story as to how our sport was birthed. Without Art Davies vision and perseverance there would never have been a Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Georges St-Pierre or Anderson Silva. Thank you Art and Sean for letting us know all the hurdles that were overcome to create the sport of MMA. Is this Legal? is epic!

KEN PAVIA, Founder, MMAgents & International MMA Promotional Consultant

My brother Barry, my father and I used to go to watch the UFC in towns no one had ever heard of, because at that time there was no sanctioning body to regulate MMA. It was love at first fight. Eventually, we moved the company that Barry founded, Tuff-N-Uff Productions, to Las Vegas and began promoting MMA events full-time. All of us in the MMA world owe a great debt of gratitude to Art Davie. He was the visionary for what has become a worldwide recognized legitimate sport. Thank you Art!

JEFF MEYER, CEO, Tuff-N-Uff Productions

Is This Legal? tells the Genesis story of the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. This was a ship of fools--an ark that carried one of every type of martial artist. The champion who emerged was a man whose art means gentleness, Royce Gracie. He showed that jiu-jitsu would inherit the earth, as he submitted every opponent with grace and dignity, rather than sheer violence. And the only man who can tell this story was the navigator, Art Davie. He was our Noah. Even though I was there, as one of the 10 fighters, this book blew me away.

JASON D E LUCIA, Fighter, First Ultimate Fighting Championship

Is This Legal? is a great history on the development of the world of mixed matial arts. Its a remarkable account of taking a sport from a thought to a reality. Art and Sean explain all the trials and tribulations that had to be overcome to make it all happen.

MICHAEL MAZZULLI, Director, Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation & Contributing Author, Unified Rules of MMA

When Art Davie created the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it changed the way the world looked at the martial arts. Misunderstood, misjudged and revolutionary, the UFC led the way to the future of unarmed combat sports. Im honored to have been there at the first UFC as the manager of Kevin Rosier. Art is the man!

CHARLIE ANZALONE, Deputy Inspector, Nevada State Athletic Commission

Art Davies vision, without a doubt, created an entire industry that did not exist prior to UFC 1. People like myself, having started martial arts in the early 1970s, had to pursue their passion as a hobby. Trying to make martial arts a career meant that you were struggling every day to keep the lights on. Im thankful for Art Davie and the opportunity that he afforded me by creating the foundation we now know as Mixed Martial Arts. Because of this man, Im able to be a full-time coach, and put food on my familys table by doing what I love.

TY PILGRIM, MMA Judge & Head Coach, Fight Science Center

The first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship changed my life. When I was 10 years old, me and my best friend saw an ad for UFC 1 in Black Belt magazine. We were able to convince his dad to order the Pay-Per-View. It started with a gruesome fight where Teila Tuli got kicked in the face, which knocked his tooth out; then he got punched in the eye. Blood was dripping out of his eye and mouth. I was traumatized! I really thought I was going to witness someone dielike a real life Bloodsport. But by the end of it, a skinny Brazilian dominated the whole thing. I was blown away. It was right then and there I looked at my friend and said, Im going to do that, and Im going to be the champion! I then dedicated my life to becoming the best martial artist I can be

BEN SAUNDERS, Pro MMA Fighter & UFC Veteran

I thought I knew just about everything there was to know on the birth of MMA in this country. What I found out in Is This Legal? is that I knew barely anything. Art and Sean have masterfully crafted a fascinating and compelling must-read for anyone who prides themselves on being a combat sports fan.

KEVIN KAY, President, Spike TV

This is a must-read for all UFC fans! The Man, the Myth, the Legend, Art Davie tells the true, inside story of how he created the Ultimate Fighting Championship. You will laugh out loud when you discover the human side of how the toughest sport on the planet got its start!

TEDD WILLIAMS, Owner, Gladiator Challenge & UFC Veteran

My buddy Sean knows more about MMA than anyone else Ive met, plus hes a fellow Kansan, so how can you go wrong? For someone like me, who knows little about the beginnings of mixed martial arts, this book is a great tool to learn about the sport. I have a newfound respect for everything MMA, and the amount of research and knowledge that Art and Sean have put into